Arab health ministers urge continued support for Palestinian health
The council also called for $200,000 in emergency funding for the Palestinian Ministry of Health and backed Gaza's health facility rebuilding.
Arab health ministers called on member states on Tuesday to keep supporting the Palestinian health sector, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
The Council of Arab Ministers for Health made the call in a resolution issued at the end of its 65th ordinary session and a meeting of its Executive Bureau at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, the agency reported.
Egyptian Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar chaired the meeting.
The council urged states to provide essential medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid, and to back the recovery and reconstruction of Palestine's healthcare infrastructure.
It also asked member states to secure medicines and treatments for patients with chronic diseases, with a particular focus on cancer patients and people undergoing dialysis.
The council called on the international community to guarantee the unhindered entry of medicines, vaccines, fuel, medical equipment and essential spare parts into the Palestinian territories.
It also stressed the need for treatment of infectious diseases, especially among children, along with expanded mental health and psychosocial support for women and children and more physical rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities.
The council said $200,000 should be allocated to meet the immediate medical and pharmaceutical needs of the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
That emergency funding will be drawn directly from the Arab Fund for Health Development and distributed in coordination with Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population.
The council affirmed its full support for ongoing efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate destroyed health facilities across the Gaza Strip.
It also called on member states to support efforts to evacuate patients, injured people and children who need advanced medical care outside the Gaza Strip.
The council further urged immediate financial assistance for the Palestinian Ministry of Health so it can meet its financial obligations, clear accumulated debts and keep delivering services.
The council also reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), calling for a stronger role, continued operations and secure funding.
The Palestinian delegation was headed by Health Minister Maged Abu Ramadan, with Palestine's Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Mohannad Al-Aklouk, in attendance.